Italy’s biggest wine trade show, Vinitaly, took place for the 52^nd time in its hometown of Verona, last April 15-18, 2018.  Its organizing body, Veronafiere, commented final data and figures as a success for this year’s edition. In synthesis, 128,000 visitors from 143 countries attended the fair during its four days of operation. Of these, accredited international buyers grew 6% to 32,000 vs. last year. Compared to 2017, the largest professional international attendance growth by country in percentage terms is as follows: United States +11%, China +34%, Northern Europe (Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark) +17%, the Netherlands +15%, Poland +27% and even tripled from Israel. In terms of foreign buyers’ absolute attendance, those from the USA were the largest group, followed by buyers from Germany, the United Kingdom, China, France, Northern Europe (as above), Canada, Russia, Japan, the Netherlands and Belgium. More than 4,380 exhibiting companies, from 36 countries, attended the 4-day event (130 more than in 2017). “Vinitaly and the City”, the fair’s various events open to the general public (not merely wine professionals as Vinitaly itself) attracted almost 60,000 wine-lovers in the towns were such happenings took place: Verona itself and three historical towns within its province (Bardolino, Valeggio sul Mincio and Soave). “Vinitaly 2018 confirmed its dedicated vocation to business and promotion of the wine world,” said Maurizio Danese, President of Veronafiere. He continued by stating that: “This is the right way forward, as identified with determination during the 50th anniversary edition. The show in the Exhibition Centre itself (Vinitaly) is increasingly focused on professionals, while the off-show events for wine lovers in the city (Vinitaly and the City) has also grown considerably. Vinitaly and the City by now has emerged from the start-up stage to become a product in its own right and as such will be further developed as of the next edition.” Vinitaly’s attractiveness was integrated and further expanded, as usual, by the simultaneous occurrence of “Sol&Agrifood”, the quality agro-food show, and “Enolitech”, the event focusing on accessories and technologies for olive oil and wine production. The 53rd edition of Vinitaly is scheduled on April 7-10, 2019 in Verona, of course. Website: http://www.vinitaly.com